"Hello," Amalia gave him a small smile. The poor girl seemed scared half to death. She seemed really shy to start and it doesn't help with how the others are treating her. Her thoughts are nothing but concerns that she will disappoint everyone here or that Hassam made a mistake asking her to be a representative. Her eyes kept flicking over to some of the other people in the room. Some of which were still giving her the cold shoulder. I was going to say something, but Alastair beat me to it.
"Ignore them, they're just a bunch of pussy's," he said, kicking his feet up and leaning back flashing her a friendly charismatic smile. Always a charmer that one. The face of an angel personality of the devil himself.
She nodded whispering out a quiet "thank you," but kept her head down and her eyes lowered. It was clear she didn't like having all the attention on her.
Nanaba cleared her throat standing up and walking over to Amalia to introduce herself since no one else seemed to be moving a muscle. Nanaba, such a kind soul, trying to make her feel welcome even when the others are doing their best to make her feel unwelcome.
The second Nanaba had moved from the chair Alastair took the opportunity to scoot closer to me. He sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder flashing me that stupid charismatic smile of his. With the way this room was lit up his blond hair almost looked like a halo around his head. Funny, horns would be more fitting. He looked into my eyes and I swear if I squint hard enough those blue eyes of his will turn red.
I just rolled my eyes, his thoughts not missing a beat, so Quinn when all of this is over will you finally let me take you out to dinner?
"Not a chance," I scoffed, "I'm old enough to be your mom."
"Come on 18 years isn't that big of an age gap," he whispered with a little pout. "I'll be sure to treat you nice."
"I'm supposed to be the old one here, so I can't see why you can't seem to recall the ten other times I've turned you down."
"It's been more than ten for the record," he laughed. When I shot him a glare he just flashed a smile. "I know I know," he said putting his hands up, "can't blame me for trying to shoot my shot, I'm just making sure since you can't seem to stop flirting with me all the time.
"I recall the roles being reversed."
"Oh come on, you flirt back sometimes," he smiled. He's got me there. I mean how am I not supposed to play into his banter when he never gives it a break.
"Because I like stringing you along," I shrugged.
"I knew it. So dinner?"
"You're impossible."
"Impossibly in love with you."
I heard laughter coming from the other side of me. Why head turned to look at Levi who sure seems to be getting a kick out of all of this. Glad he's amused. Welcome to my life a never-ending battle of turning Alastair down.
He seems nice, maybe you should go for it. Levi's thoughts were more teasing than actual advice.
As fun as that sounds it also sounds like hell on earth. I love him, I do, but he's so annoying at times. Besides I like how it is now, the playful flirting and witty banter. I wouldn't trade what I have now for the world.
Is he a part of your group?
No, he's the leader of another group but we cross paths often and help each other whenever the other asks.
"You okay?" Alastair's voice held genuine concern. His thoughts even more so. Did I take it too far? "You just went dead silent and started staring at that guy." He paused for a minute before catching on that I wasn't upset but instead something else was happening. He dramatically placed a hand on his chest, "oh so I'm too young for you but he isn't?" he said, teasing.
"He's spoken for," Eren whispered, grabbing Levi's hand under the table and scooting forward so he blocked Levi from Alastair's vision before I could explain what was happening. Someone got jealous really fast.
He can be really protective. Levi thought quick to defend him.
"Oh, I see. My bad," Alastair laughed it off, meaning no actual harm by his implications, "then the only other reason I can see is that there's another mind reader in here," he said grinning ear to ear looking at Levi waiting for him to confirm what he already knew.
"No, I was just ignoring you and letting my eyes wander, that's all," I said, turning my back to him.
Wait, seriously? He asked mentally. Awe I feel bad he sounds actually hurt.
"No of course not," I rolled my eyes turning back to him, "yes, he's a mind reader too." I raised an eyebrow, "Does my attention really mean that much to you?"
"Of course it does my love."
I had to stop myself from laughing as he flashed me his bedroom eyes. Always with the sweet talk and charm. I wonder if it ever has an off switch.
"Alright what am I thinking right now?" Alastair asked turning towards Levi and I rolled my eyes, oh here we go.
I was waiting for Levi to reply when I saw what he was thinking. "Not a chance in hell," I rolled my eyes. I had half a mind to whack him upside the head.
"Let him say it," he smiled at me.
"That you're going to marry Quinn one day," Levi whispered looking at me wondering if it was okay that he said that.
"Damn right I am," he smiled, leaning his head against my shoulder. "Isn't that right baby."
"Not a chance in hell," I repeated.
"Good things were on earth not in hell," he whispered back, "though when I'm with you it feels more like heaven."
He's smooth. I'll give him that, Levi thought to me trying not to laugh. He looked impressed with his quick comeback. I had to admit I was even a little impressed with that one. Wonder how long he's been waiting to use that one.
He's always smooth, he's got a silver tongue and can charm anyone. His code name is the most fitting out of anyone I've ever heard, and I'm not just saying that cause I gave it to him.
What's his code name?
Dark Angel.
Why is he called a dark angel? Is it just because of your little crush or-. I shot him a glare and he put his hands up defensively. Or just his powers?
His powers. I hesitated for a moment. I mean his looks and personality also fit the name. He looks like a literal angel but charms people like the devil. The way he looks and acts he seems so innocent but he could talk anyone into an early grave with a smile on his face.
Yeah, definitely not because of your crush. His thoughts teased.
"Don't you start this," I said a little louder than I meant to as my voice cracked a little causing everyone else to look at us. "Sorry," I whispered, clearing my throat. It was always hard on my throat to stay whispering for long, and even the slightest change of tone or pitch in my voice could cause it to go louder than I want, or cut out entirely.
Before we could say much else that man, I think his name was Shadis, came into the room with two other women following after him. Auruo's other contacts are what I could pick up from his thoughts.
"We're only waiting on two other people now," Shadis said before leaving the room. They think these two will be easier to pick up since they already met up together so they don't have to go to two separate places to grab them.
"I am so confused," Eren whispered to Levi looking for some explanation. He just shook his head and shrugged. I guess Levi wasn't going to let him in on the jokes he kept making to tease me. Eren's next thought made me laugh a little. Damn two mind readers means I'll never get to know what the fuck is going on.
"You got that right," I nudged him, giving him a little smile.
"You and me both buddy," Alastair agreed with him looking between Levi and me with a laugh.
I sat back and waited knowing that even though I wanted to introduce myself to everyone now wasn't the right time. It was best to wait for everyone to get here before we do the big introductions or we will just end up repeating ourselves like a broken record. The only reason I introduced myself to Amalia is because everyone else was giving her the cold shoulder, and the only reason I introduced myself to Eren and Levi was because they figured out I was a mind reader.
One person I'm not excited to introduce myself to is the older gentleman I came in with. He seems like he has a real stick up his ass. I mean he seemed nice enough talking to people but his thoughts show he's not very trusting. He's thinking down on everyone whether it be Amalia and Hassam because they don't have powers, or Alastair for being too flirty, or even me for being too friendly and trusting.
Little does he know I'm not all that trusting. I can read minds and that usually lets me know if it's safe to trust people. From what I can see everyone in this room has nothing but the best intentions, aside from his judgy ass. He's just waiting for someone to slip up. Even some of the others who aren't as trusting of Amalia and Hassam still aren't looking for a reason for them to slip up. They are just afraid to put their full trust in them which is understandable.
After a little more of Alastair's flirting and Levi's teasing, I saw the last two people come in and take their seats. Pixis and Shadis joined us at the table along with them and we all decided it was time to do some official introductions.